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Sarasota parents and advocates press school board for plan if federal education funding is cut
Summary
At a Feb. 18 Sarasota County School Board meeting, many public commenters urged the board to prepare contingency plans and advocate to protect federal funds that support Title I and special education services, citing figures in the district budget and warning of possible cuts.
Dozens of residents urged the Sarasota County School Board on Feb. 18 to prepare for a potential loss of federal education funding and to explain how the district would maintain services for Title I and students with disabilities.
"What is the district's plan if this vital funding disappears?" asked Julie Forrester during public comment, citing a line item in the district's special-revenue table. Forrester and other speakers warned that tens of millions of federal dollars support programs for low-income students, special education and related services.
Why it matters: Several commenters said federal programs funded through the U.S. Department of Education — including Title I and IDEA/504-related supports — underwrite services that would be difficult to replace locally. Speakers said those programs pay for classroom aides, specialized staff, early-intervention screenings and nutrition services and argued the district should be transparent about contingency plans and political advocacy to protect the funding.
Many public speakers gave specific figures from the district documents as evidence of risk. Julie Forrester told the board the district anticipated "$99,600,000 in federal funds this year," while other speakers referenced a special-revenue table showing "almost $50,000,000." Lisa Sher, speaking for Support Our Schools, asked, "Are we going to wait until it happens to form a contingency plan or revise the budget for these cuts?" Both numbers and table entries were cited from the superintendent's finance report during the meeting.
Parents, students and disability-rights advocates described how those dollars are used. Several speakers urged the board to consider a formal resolution or statement committing to preserve services for affected students if federal funding were shifted to states or converted to block grants.
Board response and next steps: Board members acknowledged concerns and said they would review the situation. Board member Bridget Ziegler and others noted the complexity of federal and state funding streams and urged constituents to rely on official district communications. Several board members suggested reviewing legislative priorities and increasing communication with state and federal representatives; no formal motion or vote on contingency plans was taken during the Feb. 18 meeting.
What was said: Student and community speakers pressed for transparency and proactive planning. Booker High School student Avery Cole said students needed advance notice: "If you don't have a plan, take all of our presence as a sign to make a plan." Pastor J.T. Prior told the board, "If we stay ready, we don't have to get ready." Several parents said they feared cuts to services that help students with learning differences and special needs.
Context/background: Multiple speakers referenced national policy moves and court cases they said could alter enforcement of federal civil-rights protections and special-education support; commenters also cited local ballot results that increased local funding for schools. The board did not adopt a formal resolution at the meeting but members said they would continue to monitor developments and discuss advocacy options.
Ending: Members of the public urged the board to act quickly and to update the community. The district's next regular meeting is scheduled for March 11, when board members suggested they could provide further information and discuss any proposed follow-up.
